Page 25 of Mistletoe and Magic

"Yeah, I'm fine," Jace replied.

"All right then; we'll wrap up here soon," Tom assured him, dipping his head in acknowledgment before returning to his task.

Jace's hands were rough and steady as he lifted the wooden plank into place, his muscles flexing under the weight. The lodge's bones needed tending, much like his own heart—both weathered by storms but still standing strong.

"You gotta admit, those ladies were something else,” said Mike. “That one called Heather was gorgeous, but her friend? Damn. That girl could fuel many a fantasy on a long, winter’s night."

"Pretty is as pretty does," Jace murmured, driving a nail into the wood with a decisive thump. The phrase echoed in his mind, a mantra reminding him that beauty on the surface often masked a treacherous undertow. He knew all too well the allure of a beguiling exterior and the hidden thorns such roses concealed.

"True that," the young man conceded, shrugging before turning back to his work.

Jace took a deep breath ready to tackle the rest of the day. "Damn," he muttered. “I almost forgot. Boys? I’ve got to run. They’re judging the baking contest today.”

"And the winner of this year’s Regional Bake-Off is... Felicity Hart, with her Pecan Cream Pie!" the judge announced, lifting her arm as if he were presenting the newly elected champion of the town.

Jace stood in the crowd, pulling his scarf tighter against the December chill as he watched Felicity at the front of the small stage, her face frozen in shock. Snowflakes drifted down in softswirls, settling on her curls, giving her a halo under the mid-day sun as it cast its light across Christmas Valley’s village square. The crowd clapped and cheered, but Felicity seemed rooted to the spot, eyes wide as if she couldn’t believe her own ears.

A grin tugged at Jace’s lips as he watched her stand there, still clutching the ribbon and envelope as though someone might take them back. He didn’t understand why she looked so stunned. Ever since he’d moved here, he’d known her baked goods were special. Jace had seen the way she worked at Cozy Cravings, pouring as much care into each dessert as she did into her notebooks full of story ideas.

"Way to go, Felicity!" he heard Ivy call, her voice ringing out, pulling Felicity from her trance. Jace couldn’t help but laugh at the look of surprise on Felicity’s face as the crowd surged forward to congratulate her. When their eyes met, he raised a gloved hand in a thumbs-up, his heart warming at her shy but delighted smile.

As she stepped down from the stage, Felicity wove through the crowd, cheeks flushed, looking more alive than he’d ever seen her. She caught sight of him and gave a little shrug, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I… I didn’t even think I’d make it past the first round,” she said, clutching the blue ribbon tightly.

“Well, I guess the judges disagreed,” Jace said, unable to stop grinning. “You deserve it, Felicity. That pie… best I’ve ever had.”

Felicity looked up, her eyes shining as the lights danced across her face, and Jace felt his heart twist a little. There was magic in this place, he thought, but today, most of it seemed to be right here, in the glow of her smile. Giving her a hug and a kiss, he left her in Ivy’s capable hands so he could return to the lodge and get some work done.

“I’ll see you this evening at the Christmas market,” he said.

As dusk fell, Jace made his way toward the town's Christmas market, the scent of pine and the sound of laughter drawing him like a siren's call. It was there, amidst the bustle of festive stalls and twinkling lights, that he saw her.

Felicity stood alone, her eyes seeming to reflect the fairy lights as they shimmered like a constellation captured in blue pools. There was an ethereal quality to her, a gentle glow that seemed at odds with the world's harsher edges. She cradled a snow globe in her hands, the miniature world inside swirling with false snowflakes—a perfect, untouchable dream.

Jace watched her, struck by the profound difference between this moment and the ones he'd shared with Heather and Candace earlier. Felicity, with her quiet cafes and old bookstores, her soft sweaters and tentative smiles, was a living testament to the sincerity he craved. In her presence, the shadows of his past receded, replaced by the promise of a future rich with genuine affection and shared dreams.

He approached her, drawn by an invisible thread woven through their many encounters—a thread spun from the golden fabric of possibility. They exchanged no words; none were needed.

Jace's steps slowed as he neared Felicity, the soft crunch of snow beneath his boots a subtle prelude to what his heart urged him to do. The Christmas market bustled with energy, but in her immediate vicinity, time seemed to decelerate, allowing him to savor the anticipation that tightened his chest.

He stood behind her for a moment longer than necessary, inhaling deeply. The scent of roasting chestnuts mingled with the crisp winter air, yet it was Felicity’s fragrance—a delicateblend of vanilla and spice—that truly filled his senses, grounding him in the now.

"Beautiful night," he murmured, close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath against the curve of her neck.

Felicity turned, and her smile blossomed like the first flower after a long winter. "It's perfect," she whispered back, her eyes reflecting the myriad of fairy lights strung above the market stalls.

Without another word, Jace reached out, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw. Felicity’s eyes fluttered closed at the contact. Then, with a tenderness that belied the strength in his hands, he drew her closer. Their lips met in a passionate kiss that seemed to ignite the very air around them. It was as if they were the only two people in the world, lost in the magic of their connection.

Above them, the northern lights unfurled across the sky, ribbons of green and purple that danced to the rhythm of their hearts. The aurora borealis cast an otherworldly glow over the scene, illuminating them in its ethereal light.

At that moment, carolers nearby began a soulful rendition of‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,’their voices rising and falling in harmony. The melody wrapped around Jace and Felicity, cocooning them in a blanket of sound that seemed composed just for them.

As their kiss deepened, Jace felt something shift within him. Walls he had built crumbled; the pain of past betrayals lessened under the assault of Felicity's gentle persistence. In her embrace, he found not just warmth, but a fiery passion that promised to withstand the coldest of winters.

They parted slowly, reluctantly, their foreheads resting together while they caught their breath. Jace brushed a thumb over her flushed cheek, marveling at the softness of her skin and the way she seemed to lean into his touch.

"Thank you," Felicity murmured, her voice barely audible over the continued serenade of the carolers.

"For what?" Jace asked, his voice low and laced with wonder.

---